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Jack Kornfield

Clinical psychologist, meditation instructor and author

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Concentration and Attention

Concentration and Attention

Think about these two words for a minute: “concentration” and “attention.” What activities require concentration? What about attention? Do they conjure up different scenarios in your mind? Which one reminds you most of meditation?
 
New Zealand’s Scoop site says that, “Concentration requires a center and an object. Attention, on the other hand, has no center and is inclusive of everything that comes into the field of awareness.” By these definitions then, meditation is much more closely connected to attention, an all-around kind of focused state.
 
The article elaborates by comparing attention to a “gathering of energy” via observation. In some ways, the consistent breathing often associated with meditating requires focus, but it actually allows us to focus on nothing and everything all at the same time. Do you agree with the statement that meditation is about attention, not concentration? [Scoop]

Posted: 6/26/08
blmhayes

sure do!